Gore, Niners run over Seahawks

Nov 20, 2006, 0:35 GMT

San Francisco, CA - Frank Gore rushed for a team record 212 yards as the San Francisco 49ers ruined Shaun Alexander's return to the Seattle lineup with a 20-14 victory at Monster Park.

Arnaz Battle caught five passes for 47 yards and a touchdown for the 49ers (5-5), who have rattled off three straight wins for the first time since the 2002 season and are now one game behind Seattle in the NFC West.

'We worked hard all week at practice,' said Gore. 'We're on a winning streak, three games in a row. We've just got to keep playing.'

San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith completed 19-of-25 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground.

Alexander returned to action for Seattle after missing the last six games with a cracked bone in his foot and rushed for just 37 yards on 17 carries.

Seneca Wallace started in place of Matt Hasselbeck, who has missed the last four games with a sprained knee was listed as Seattle's third quarterback. Wallace struggled, completing 19-of-31 passes for 255 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Deion Branch hauled in seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown for the Seahawks (6-4), who were aiming for their third straight victory.

'I don't know what happened, I thought we had a pretty good game,' said Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren. 'We couldn't get over the hump, we just dug a hole too deep.'

The 49ers scored on their second offensive possession of the game and took a 3-0 lead after Joe Nedney drilled a 39-yard field goal with 4:15 left in the opening quarter. Gore ripped off a 51-yard run on the scoring drive that put San Francisco on the Seattle 41-yard line.

Wallace was picked off by Walt Harris at the Seattle 40-yard line with just under 13 minutes remaining in the second quarter and the Niners were able to cash in on the turnover.

Smith capped a short five-play, 40-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown toss to Battle to make it 10-0 with 10:11 remaining in the second quarter.

San Francisco continued to dominate and went up 17-0 after Smith scrambled from one-yard out and hit the right pylon in the end zone after a dive with 4:14 left in the first half. Gore had runs of 20 yards and 23 yards on the scoring drive.

The 49ers used another turnover by Seattle to score a touchdown. Keith Lewis recovered a fumble by Jerramy Stevens and returned it to the Seattle 31-yard line with 3:44 remaining in the second.

San Francisco moved the ball to the seven-yard line and Nedney chipped an 18- yard field goal through the uprights as time expired in the first half to make it 20-0.

The 49ers outgained the Seahawks in total net yards, 249-98, in the first half.

Seattle scored on the opening possession of the second half to finally get on the board and make it 20-7 with 12:46 left in the third quarter. Wallace found Branch wide open down the right sideline for a 38-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

After both teams struggled for solid field position, the Seahawks pulled within 20-14 after Wallace connected with Darrell Jackson for a 41-yard touchdown catch with 6:40 left in the contest.

On the ensuing possession, Seattle forced a punt and got the ball back with less than four minutes left to play. The Seahawks decided to go for it on a 4th-and-1 on their own 37 and Alexander was dropped for a loss, as the Niners took over on downs.

San Francisco gave the ball back though as Gore coughed up the ball and Grant Wistrom recovered for Seattle at its own 35-yard line.

The comeback bid would fall short though as Harris intercepted Wallace for the second time.

Nedney missed a late field goal as Seattle got the ball back with not much time left and could not move the ball down field.

Game Notes

Gore rushed for over 200 yards for the first time in his career. He also added four catches for 26 yards.

San Francisco's Eric Johnson had four catches for 48 yards.

49ers head coach Mike Nolan wore a suit on the sideline this week, as he was given permission from the NFL. The suit was designed by Reebok, the official sponsor of sideline clothing worn by coaches. Nolan will be allowed to wear a suit for one additional game this season.

Former San Francisco wide receiver great Jerry Rice officially retired from football during a half-time ceremony.

Holmgren dropped to 11-4 all time versus San Francisco.

© 2006 The Sports Network